MS Mrs Caroline Fairclough/14
My dear Miss Butler
With all Christmas wishes, and with my brother’s thanks, I return your catalogue, he has taken the address of the bookseller and means to write to him as soon as the Icelandic fervour returns. At present he is more occupied with his turning lathe. I wish some critic would laugh at the endless repetitions of Thor’s visit to Loki, as if it were to Sagas what Harold’s body is to English history to artists. Yes, I liked that Xmas article in the Saturday, but owing to the paucity of new books it has been less amusing lately, save when grinding the bones of poor Mr Tupper. 1 You will be glad to hear that Miss Dyson has seen Mr Paget, /a surgeon who reassured them all very much, ordered steel, which seems to revive her at every drop, and gives her every reason to hope that she will at least return to her usual state.2 She was going downstairs and to Church when last I heard. I only hope she may not have attempted too much this week and thrown herself back. I am glad you are going on with Likes & Dislikes, will Julia still keep her mind about India in the present state of affairs?3
yours sincerely
C M Yonge